Display-rack.



No. 670,227. Patented Mar. 19, 1901.

E. T. GRAY.

DISPLAY RACK.

[Application filed Dec. 1.1, 1900.

2 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

THE NORRIS PETERS cc. PHOTO-Lima. WASNINUTDN, 0. c.

Patented Mar. [9, 190i. E. T. GRAY.

DISPLAY BACK.

(Applic'ation filed Dec. 11, 1900.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. Q M i qg w; Q E I i m r W/T/VESSELYI m m W. K. M

ATTKT.

UNITED Srn rss Farnnr hrice.

EDWIN TARVIN GRAY, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

DlSPLAY-RACK..

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 670,227, dated March 19, 1901.

Application filed December 11, 1900. Serial No. 39,474. (No model.)

To all whom Lt may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN TARVIN GRAY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Display-Racks,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to folding displayracks for displaying wall-paper or the like; and the objects of myinvention are to facilitate the work of the salesman, to save time to the purchaser, and to save floor-space. In order to effect these objects, I provide a pinrality of frames, covered on both sides with samples of wall paper, and suspend these frames from an elevated horizontal bar. I further provide pivotal connections between the frames, whereby the frames may be slid along the bar and folded or packed closely together when not in use. The ceiling or border pattern of the paper is fastened to the upper portions of the frame, and the sidewall patterns occupy the remainder of the frames, thus displaying the paper as it would appear on the wall of a room.

I will now proceed to describe my invention by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation of an apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention, comprising five vertical frames and a cabinet for receiving the same when not in use, the cabinet being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of two sets of displayframes and a cabinet for each set, one set being partly extended and the other set being folded inside of its cabinet. Fig. 3 is a combined side and edge View of one of the connecting-bars, enlarged. Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view showing the manner of pivoting the connecting-bars together and securing them to the ends of the vertical rods. Fig. 5 is a broken-away detail view showing the upper and the lowerportion of one of the frames and the manner of mounting the frame on the track-bars. Fig. 6 is a broken-away detail view showing the upper track-bar in section. Fig. 7 is a detail view showing one form of spring-clip to be secured to the side of each frame for engaging one of the vertical rods. Fig. 8 illustrates another form of springclip which I mayemploy for the same purpose.

The upper track-bar 1 may be supported, as shown in Fig. 1, with one of its ends socured to the back of a suitable cabinet 2 and its opposite end secured to any convenient support, as 2", or each end of the track-bar 1 may be secured to a cabinet, as shown in Fig. 2. Each cabinet has one of its. sides open, as shown, for the reception of the display-frames, to be described hereinafter.

A series of yokes 3 is hung from track-bar 1 by means of grooved rollers 1. Secured to each yoke 3 is a depending bolt 5. Each bolt 5 passes through and supports, by means of a nut or other device, the upper cross-piece of a narrow rectangular frame 6. Each frame is provided with two or more intermediate crosspieces 7.

Above each frame 6 is a bar 8, (see Fig. 3,) having a central boss 9 and perforations 1 0. The bolts 5 pass through perforations 10 for the purpose hereinafter stated. The ends of bars 8 are extended oppositely, as shown, and are recessed oppositely at these ends and provided with perforations 12.

I provide at each side of each frame a vertical rod 13, having shoulders 14 near its ends, and a smaller extension 15, screw-threaded, as shown in Fig. 4. Each extension passes through a sleeve 16, previously inserted in one of the perforations 10 of bars 8, and a jam-nut 17 is run up securely against the outer end of each sleeve 16. The ends of bars 8 are thus pivotally secured to one another and to the vertical rods 13. As stated before, a series of bars 8 is also secured to the lower ends of rods 13 in the manner described. Bolts 5 pass through the lower crossdescription that each frame is pivotally supported by the bolts 5, so that the salesman may turn it around or reverse it in order to show the wall-paper on both of its sides without any movement of the observer.

In order to hold the frames 6 parallel to the bars 8, I secure to one side of each frame one or more springs 22, the ends of which are suitably shaped and adjusted for engaging one of the rods 13, as shown in Fig. 7 or Fig. 8.

The spring 25 (shown in Fig. 8) should be mounted pivotally at 23, so that it may engage a rod 13 when swung in either direction. The form shown in Fig. 7 would require no such adjustment.

A handle 24 is preferably secured to the outer vertical rod 13 for pulling the apparatus out from the cabinet and pushing it back thereinto.

It will be evident that I may employ any desired number of frames 6 of any desired proportions or dimensions without departing from the construction shown and described.

hen two cabinets are used in connection with a common pair of track-bars, it is obvious that either set of frames 6 may be drawn out between the cabinets 3 for the display of the wall-paper.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a display apparatus, an elevated track-bar, a roller resting thereon, a yoke secured to the spindle of the roller, a bolt secured to the yoke, a vertical frame having its upper cross-piece supported by the bolt, a yoke pivotally secured to the lower crosspiece of said frame, a lower track-bar parallel to said upper track-bar, and a roller carried by said lower yoke and resting on the lower track-bar, substantially as described.

2. In a folding display apparatus, an elevated track-bar a series of vertical frames, bolts secured to the upper ends of the frames, yokes pivotally secured to said bolts, rollers mounted in said yokes and resting on said track-bar,a lower track-bar below said frames, and parallel to the upper track-bar, bolts secured to the lower ends of said frames, yokes pivotally secured to said bolts, and rollers mounted in said yokes and resting on said lower track-bar, substantially as described.

3. In a folding display apparatus, an upper and a lower track-bar, a plurality of vertical frames, bolts secured to the ends of said frames, yokes pivotally secured to said bolts rollers mounted in said yokes and resting on said track-bars, a connecting-bar above and below each frame, a central opening through each connecting-bar, said opening being traversed by one of said bolts, and pivotal connections between the adjacent ends of said connecting-bars, substantially as described.

4. In a folding display apparatus, an upper and a lower track-bar; a plurality of vertical frames supported between said track-bars; bolts secured to the middle points of the ends of said frames, yokes pivotally secured to said bolts; rollers mounted in said yokes and "resting on the track-bars; connecting-bars of greater length than the width of said frames, pivoted centrally on said bolts, respectively, between said frames and said yokes; registering perforations in the adjacent ends of said connecting-bars; and vertical rods arranged between said frames and having their ends pivotally secured within the perforations in the ends of said connecting-bars, whereby said frames may be folded together in zigzag form bypushing them together, substantially as described.

5. In a folding display apparatus, an upper and a lower track-bar, a plurality of vertical frames supported between said track-bars, a series of horizontal connecting-bars secured pivotally to the ends of said frames, respectively, vertical rods between said frames, having their ends secured to the ends of said connecting-bars, and spring catches or clips secured to one or both sides of each frame, for engaging said vertical rods, respectively, substantially as described.

In a folding display apparatus, a pair of cabinets, each having an open side and arranged with said open sides facing each other, an elevated track-bar having its ends supported respectively by said cabinets, a lower track-bar directly below and parallel to said track-bar, and a series of vertical frames pivotally connected together and supported by said track-bars, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

EDWIN TARVIN GRAY.

Witnesses:

K. M. IMBODEN, M. L. LANGE. 

